cataract Surgery on the docket next Tuesday motnin

[oosik]

I have been told I have the beginnings of cataracts and will eventually need surgery. I have one good eye - one bum eye. I've needed reading glasses for years. Don't need glasses for distance yet. So ...... without saying anything we all know what the real concern is. I wish us all the best.

 

[bunyip]

I understand your apprehension, because everyone has it.
I assure you, that you will be delighted with the result.
One eye at a time I assume?

Only one eye, have to start eye drops the day before as I had shingles some years ago and this just a precautionary measure, the prospect of an injection is what bothers me even though you are sedated beforehand, thanks for the thought Alien.

 

[nybirdman]

I had both eyes done last March,no problem.As a retired welder I don't think welding with only one eye is a good idea.Double eye protection if you do.I had to do drops three days before and three weeks after.Good luck.

 

[Tinhack]

I'm 70 now. I had both done (one at a time) last year. At that time, I was one year out of an aortic valve replacement. But they assured me that wouldn't be a problem. They gave me many options and each with an escalating price tag. They always try to up-sell. I opted for the plain and simple. I have 20/20 vision in both eyes but still need reading glasses for close-up work. I use 1.75 for reading my PC screen and working around the shop. I have a pair of 2.00 for close detail work and book reading.

The first eye was the most nerve racking. I remember waking up from the anesthesia and someone was tugging on covering or something. I thought they were still working on my eye. I asked; Am I supposed to be awake now? The nurse said with a chuckle; "yes, everything went fine". :laughing:

I wore an eye cover for the rest of that day and at night for two days. I had eye drops for pain but didn't need it. I felt no pain after the operation. The change was amazing! Everything was so clear and bright. Colors were vivid. I was stunned by my new sight. I had no problem going back a few weeks later for the second eye. Piece of cake and the same results.

 

[Wagtail]

Only one eye, have to start eye drops the day before as I had shingles some years ago and this just a precautionary measure, the prospect of an injection is what bothers me even though you are sedated beforehand, thanks for the thought Alien.

I've had both done, a couple of years apart. The 'injection' is not a worry as they use 'numbing' eye-drops before hand and you don't feel a thing.

You also don't need the sedation as it's only given to alleviate your anxiety, which is understandable. I know this because I was told to "fast" before the surgery, and I did... but that included water, which I did not know. I told them so and the anaesthesiologist said that they would either have to re-schedule the operation or I could proceed without the sedation. I chose to go without and there was no problem... plus you can carry on a conversation with the Surgeon/staff during the procedure and there's no restriction on driving the next day.

With my second eye I insisted not to have the sedation so that I could drive myself back home the following day from Launceston (had to do an overnight, both times, due to early morning bandage removal).

 

[bunyip]

Thanks for the reassurance, i do appreciate it.

 

[5030]

I had both done last year. I now have lenses made in Texas, Dallas to be exact. Painless and 5 minutes. I was actually talking about hunting with my ophthalmologist while he was doing the procedure, like me, he hunts big game. Mine was done in the hospital as out patient. 20 minutes prep, 5 minutes an eye, 4 weeks apart. 2days convalescent, good to go. I have almost 20-20 in both eyes. Best thing I ever did, other than marrying my wife who just happens to have high option BC, Federal employees healthcare so it didn't cost me a dime.

Now that I can see, she's prettier than ever.

Walk in the park compared to some of the other stuff I've been through in the last 2 years, you see, I'm a survivor.

 

[5030]

Any TBNers out there willing to share their experiences with Cateract Surgery?
I am not terribly concerned about the procedure and the doctor has performed the procedure 17,000 times with only 8 complications in the last 12 years but the delimma is, I have only one good eye as the other has be severely compromised by macular degeneration.
Dr assures me the outcome will be a major improvement, to which I replied, if I can again read a tape measure with out a magnifying glass and lay down a decent looking 6010 bead he will never have to worry about referrals.
I did have to explain the 6010 bead thing......

B. John

Dewitt... You going tp Sparrow or St. Joe or U of M? Mine was at St. Joe in Ann Arbor. Class place. My second home. I'm a very frequent flyer there.

Lets just say that my last visit was just north of a million bucks in hospital bills (not including the lens replacements).

 

[Budweiser John]

Thanks guys for the reply’s, further reinforces my confidence in today’s technology.
Note to Bunyip, do not stress out about the shot in the eyeball. You will receive a drop or two of numbing drops that may slightly sting but you will feel nothing when the needle slides in. I have had several shots in my bum eye to quiet down the macular degeneration. I will say however, the first one freaked me out.

Surgical center tells me no food after 11:00 the night before but liquids including coffee are OK the morning of the procedure. They scheduled an arrival time one hour before the ten minute procedure to start a ‘happy juice’ IV. As others have stated, they want ya to stick around for an hour or so afterward so they can admire their work.
I will report back on how things go next week

B. John

 

[Norm W]

I had corneal grafts on both eyes for Fuchs Dystrophy. The meds needed to protect against rejection cause cataracts. So they did both surgeries (cataract and grafts) at the same time. No problems. Each eye, two months apart. The worst part was being on my back for basically 24 hrs to keep the grafts in place with an air bubble. The cataracts part was a breeze.